Stock controller



Feb. 28, 1950 R. E. BOWEN 2,498,876

sTocx CONTROLLER Filed Jan. 26, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

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Feb. 28, 1950 R. E. BOWEN STOCK CONTROLLER Filed Jan. 26, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STOCK CONTROLLER Robert E. Bowen, Plymouth, N. C., assignor to North Carolina Pulp Company, Plymouth, N. (3., a corporation of Delaware Application January 26, 1946, Serial No. 643,500

, 12 Claims.

the average operator can do is to control the.

consistency within a 1% range. At a 5% consistency, a chest may hold 4,000 pounds of bonedry pulp. At a 4.5% consistency, the same chest will hold 3,600 pounds of bone-dry pulp, and at a 5.5% consistency, the same chest will hold 4,400 pounds of bone-dry pulp. It isthus apparent that with a 1% range in the control of the stock consistency, it is possible to get a variation of between 3,600 pounds and 4,400 pounds of bonedry pulp, giving a possible error of 22.2% in the amount of bone-dry pulp in the chest. With most prior methods of control, the usual method is to bring all of the stock to the place where the consistency is to be observed at a consistency which is too great, and to regulate its consistency merely by adding water. This is an unsatisfactory method. The lack of proper control has, in the past, given a, wide variation in paper tests and the operators found it nearly impossible to control the color on some runs of paper.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide apparatus which is'capable of taking stock at any consistency between the lowest practical consistency and any higher consistency that can be pumped, and either take out v water or add water automatically in order to give a uniform flow of stock at a uniform consistency.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stock controller which is so constructed as to maintain a proper level in the intermediate chest, that is, the chest in which the consistency regulator operates, whereby there is always ample stock of uniform consistency adjacent the rotary stock measuring valve at the outlet end, so that the chambers of said stock measuring device will always deliver the same amount and consistency of stock.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a device as above described, wherein not only the inflow of dilution water in the consistency regulator chamber is controlled, but also the outflow of Water from the dewatering chamber through the dewatering cylinder. I As a result, stock which is too thin has some of the water removed and stock which is too thick has water added thereto, and the consistency is controlled within narrow limits.

A further, more specific object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as above described, which includes a float responsive to the level of the stock in the consistency regulator chamber and operably connected with the inlet valve leading to the dewatering chamber, for controlling the admission of stock to said dewatering chamber.

With the above and other objects in view, the v invention consists of the improved stock controller, and all its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawing, illustrating one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention, in which the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved stock controller, parts being broken away and shown in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the equipment mounted above theconsistency regulator chamber;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, part of the motor being shown in full;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the automatic valve for controlling the in-fiow of stock to the dewatering chest, the connections of th valve with the pilot valve being also illustrated; and

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Referringmore particularly to the drawings,

the numeral l0 designates a suitable tank or chest preferably formed with a widened inlet end H. Located within the widened portion II is a dewatering compartment l2, containing a dewatering cylinder l3 of any standard variety such as is commonly used in savealls, thickeners, or paper machine vats. The cylinder has the usual screened periphery and there is an outlet pipe l4 through which water removed from the stock in the dewatering compartment by the dewatering cylinder can be drained. Stock pumped or otherwise caused to flow from the stock chest is adapted to enter the dewatering compartment I'2 through a pipe l5, and the admission of stockis controlled by a stock inlet valve Hi. There is also a secondary stock pipe I! controlled by a valve [8 for admitting secondary stock into the dewatering compartment.

Located ahead of the dewatering compartment and projecting downwardly from the top of the tank, is a partition i9 which terminates a substantial distance above the bottom of the tank. Forwardly of the partition i9 is a consistency regulator chamber 2! A partition 2| extending upwardly from the bottom of the tank and terminating a substantial distance below the top of the tank separates the consistency regulator chamber proper from a chamber portion 22. A partition 23, extending downwardly from the top of the tank supports an arcuate plate 2 2. Near the bottom of the tank and positioned opposite to the plate 25, is an arcuate plate 25. A rotatable outlet valve 2%, having four compartments as illustrated, is adapted to deliver stock from the chamber portion 22, in measured batches to the outlet chamber 2i. The outlet valve is rotated through the use of a variable speed, motor driven speed reducer 28 of any well known type. The outlet chamber has a discharge pipe 2? usually leading to the No. 1 machine in the beater room.

A float 29, within the chamber portion 22- operates toraise or lower a rod 36 and the latter actuates a pilot valve 3! preferably of the type illustrated in Fig. 5. It is preferred to utilize hydraulic means for transmitting motion from the pilot valve 3! to the stool; inlet valve [6. However, any other suitable mechanism may be substituted for hydraulic. For example, the controls may be pneumatic or electromagnetic. Where an hydraulic control system is employed, hydraulic fiuid under pressure, such as water, enters the pilot 3i through an inlet 32 leading from a suitable source. If the float 29 is lowered to lower the rod 33 this indicates the need for additional stock to maintain a desired level, and the pilot 3| will cause hydraulic fluid to flow through. the line 33 intothe lower endof an hydraulic actuating cylinder 34 (see Fig. This will cause movement of a piston 35, piston rod 36, and rack 31. Rack .i'i may act through a gear segment 38 to cause rotation of a plug within the valve i6- and opening of the valve to admit additional stock.

Hydraulic fluid from above the piston 35, within the cylinder is exhausted through the line 3Q leading back to the pilot valve. Where the fluid is water, the valve arrangement is such as to discharge the water out of a bleeder line lil.

When enough stock has been admitted to raise the level in the compartment 22, the float 2e will rise and cause upward movement of the rod 3 3'. This will cause a reversal of flow to take place within the pilot valve 3i" so that the hydraulic fluid under pressure will now flow through the line 89 to the top side of the piston within the cylinder to cause a closing movement of the valve it. During such action, the fiuid from below the piston 35 will be exhausted through the line 33' into the pilot valve-and out of the bleeder line 52.

Above the compartment 2% is a platform d3 which supports the consistency regulator meshanisnr proper. Consistency regulators are commonly employed in the paper making art. 1., is preferred to utilize a De Zurik consistency regulator, but other consistency regulators now on the market may be employed; In the construction illustrated, and referring more particularly to Figs. 3 and there is a bearing it rigidly connected to the platform 53 Rotatable in the bearing is a vertical shaft 35' which supports feeler blades Lit at its lower end; The shaft d5 lower end of the motor is aninverted' cup-shaped member housing a bearing set 43. The arrangement is such, that under certain conditions of operation, the motor, together with the member fi'l, may turn relative to the base bearing 4%. Connected to the rotatable portion 57 and projecting therefrom is an arm 49. A spring 58 is connected at one end to the arm as as is illustrated in Fig. 3 and at its other end to the movable end of an adjusting bolt 5i. Manipulation of a wing nut 52 will cause a change in the tension of the spring.

Outwardly of the spring 59 are oppositely disposed stop bolts 53 and 54 (see Fig. 3), which are threaded in lugs projecting from the platform 43. These 'bolts' are preferably adjusted to allow a Y movement of the arm 49 of about of an inch.

Supported on the platform d3 on one side of the movable arm 69 is a pilot valve 55 of a standard four-way type. Where an hydraulic operating system is used this valve may be the same as the valve 31.. Hydraulic fluid such as water under pressure from a source may flow into the pilot valve through a line 56. When the valve is in one position, that is, when the arm id is contactin the stop bolt 54, the operating plunger 5? of the pilot valve is maintained in a position to permit fluid under pressure to flow through the line 58 and into the end of an hydraulic cylinder 59 to actuate a piston 56 and cause a plunger Si to be moved to such a position as to cut off the flow of water from the inlet pipe 5'2 through the pipe portion 63 and through the valve fitting 64 into the dilution pipe 65 which discharges water into the stock to add additional water thereto.

The plunger of the pilot valve may be connected to the arm 49' by a small stiff spring 66' to keep the strain ofi of the pilot valve. When the arm 4% is; in a reverse position, that is, in contact with the stop bolt 53, then the plunger 5? of the pilot valve 55 will be pulled outwardly to reverse the position of the valve and cause hydraulic fluid under pressure to flow through the line El and cause opening of the valve 64 and a flow of water through the pipe into thestock.

Also connected with the water pipe 62 may be a branch pipe 68' into which the flow of water is controlled by a manual valve 69. The pipe 58 leads to a horizontal shower pipe l'il over the dewatering. compartment.

, Supported on the platform 43 on. the opposite side of the arm 49 is another pilot valve H which.

operates the same as pilot valve 55 and the same as the pilot valve iii. The plunger 1... of this valve is connectedby a stiff spring '53- with the arm 49. When the arm 39 is in contact with the stop 54,- with the fiow of water to the dilution pipe 65 cut off, then hydraulic fluid from the source pipe l i'leadingto the pilot valve ii will flow through the line leading to one side of an. operating cylinder Hito cause movement of a piston rod Pi connected with a rack 58 in a direction to opena valve it connected with the drain pipe M from the dewatering cylinder. When the valve i9 is in opened condition, water is allowed to drain out of the dewatering cylinder i3 to remove surplus water from the stock. The. valve 78 and operating mechanism may be the same as the valve it shown in Fig. 5.

When the arm it is in contact with the stop bolt 5 then the pilot valve 15 will be in a reverse position to cause flow of hydraulic fiuid through the line 88' to the opposite side of cylinder lfi and cause olosing of the valve '59. It is thus apparent that; when the dilution valve 64 is open to allow entry or water through the dilution pipe 65, that the dewatering cylinder drain valve '19 is always closed and vice-versa.

Operation Moving stock from the stock chest enters the dewatering compartment l2 through the inlet pipe l5 under control of the automatic valve IS. The amount of stock entering is under control of the pilot valve 3| and the latter is operated by the float 29. The arrangement, of course, is such that a constant level is maintained in the chamber portions 20 and 22.

Water which is in the stock in the dewatering chamber I2 will flow through the perforations of the wire of the dewatering cylinder [3. The amount or quantity of this water which leaves the stock is controlled by the amount of water which is permitted to flow out of the drain pipe M by the automatic valve 19. This valve is under the control of the pilot valve H as heretofore explained.

The amount of water which flows into the stock through the dilution pipe 65 is controlled by the dilution valve 64 under the control of the pilot 55.

As the stock flows out of the dewatering compartment l2, beneath the partition I9, it is compelled by the partition 2| to flow upwardly through the feeler blades 46 before it can pass into the compartment section 22. The resistance to rotation of the feeler blades, because of the passage of stock therethrough, is transmitted to the tension spring 56 connected to the arm 49. If the stock is relatively thin, there will be less resistance to rotation of the feeler blades 46 by the motor 4| and this resistance will be less than the tension of the spring 50. Consequently, the spring 56 will pull the arm 49 toward the stop bolt 54. This will cause the pilot valve 55 to shut oil the supply of dilution water through the pipe 65 and will cause the pilot valve H to act to open the drain valve .19 and permit removal of water from the stock of the dewatering compartment.

If, after water is removed, the resistance to rotation of the feeler blades 46 increases due to thickening of the stock, then the motor 4| will tend to want to rotate around the fixed bearing 44 instead of imparting additional rotation of the shaft 45. This will cause'movement of the arm 49 with the rotating motor to the position shown in Fig. 3, while stretching the spring 50. In other words, the resistance to rotation of the feeler blades imparted by the stock causes the motor to want to rotate independently on its base with a force which is greater than the tension of the spring 50. This movement will cause the plunger 51 of the pilot valve 55 to be moved to position to cause actuation of the valve 64 in a valve opening direction to permit water from the supply source 62 to flow through the dilution pipe 65 and into the stock to thin out the same. At the same time the pilot valve H will operate to shut the drain valve 19 and prevent removal of further water by the dewaterin cylinder. In actual operation, one or the other of the pilot valves 55 or II will always be operating to either cause dilution of the stock or removal of water through the pipe l4. Thus, only stock at the proper consistency will flow to the rotary measuring valve 26 and the level in the chamber portion 22 will always be kept constant by the float 29. Inasmuch as therotary valve 26 has an adjustable, variable speed drive, this can be set to deliver stock into the discharge chamber 21 at any desired rate and will give the correct mim ber of pounds of bone-dry stock, so that the proper quantity of chemicals can be added to give a uniform furnish to the paper machine. It is to be noted that the dewatering is performed as close to the consistency regulator as possible. This overcomes any pumping difficulties and enables the use of the feeler motor to control the amount of water that is removed from the stock.

As before mentioned, instead of having the valves I6, 64 and 19 hydraulically operated through the use of hydraulic fluid such as water flowing through the pilot valves 3|, 55 and H, it is possible to use any other suitable type of valve actuation or any other type of suitable valve actuating medium. The particular valves, pilot valves, cylinders, and consistency regulator may also be varied as long as the arrangement of parts is such as to accomplish the purposes oi the present invention. The dewatering cylinder may be used with vacuum pumps if desired, to increase its capacity,

Various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. A paper machine stock controller comprising a tank having a dewatering chamber and having a discharge outlet, means for delivering paper making stock into said dewatering chamber, means including a drain pipe for removing water from stock in said dewatering chamber, a dewatering valve controlling the flow of removed water out of said drain pipe, means for delivering dilution water into the stock in said tank, a valve for controlling the flow of dilution water, and consistency responsive means for controlling said valves located in a portion of said tank where the stock is substantially at final discharge consistency to maintain the consistency of the stock substantially constant.

2. A paper machine stock controller comprising a tank having a dewatering chamber and having a discharge outlet, means for delivering paper making stock into said dewatering chamber, means including a drain pipe for removing water from stock in said dewatering chamber, a dewatering valve controlling the flow of removed water out of said drain pipe, means for delivering dilution water into the stock in said tank, a valve for controlling the flow of dilutionwater, and consistency responsive means for causing opening of said dewatering valve and simultaneous closing of said dilution valve and vice versa located in a portion of said tank where the stock is substantially at final discharge consistency to maintain the consistency of the stock substantially constant.

3. A paper machine stock controller comprising a tank having a dewatering chamber, means for delivering paper making stock into said dewatering chamber, means including a drain pipe for removing water from stock in said dewatering chamber, a dewatering valve controlling the flow of removed water out of said drain pipe, means for delivering dilution water into the stock in said tank, a valve for controlling the flow of dilution water, a motor propelled rotary feeler in said stock, and means responsive to the amount of resistance to rotation of the feeler imposed by the stock in a portion of said tank for controlling said valves to maintain the consistency of the stock substantially constant.

4. A paper machine stock controller comprising a tank having a dewatering chamber and having a discharge outlet, means for delivering paper making stock into said dewatering chamber, a deWatering cylinder in said dewatering chamber, a drain pipe extending from said de- Watering cylinder, a dewatering valve controlling the flow of removed water out of said drain pipe, means for delivering dilution water into the stock, a valve for controlling the flow of dilution water, and consistency responsive means for controlling said valves located in a portion of said tank where the stock is substantially at final discharge consistency to maintain the consistency of said stock substantially constant.

5. A paper machine stock controller comprising an elongated tank having a dewatering chamber at one end and having a stock regulating chamber beyond said dewatering chamber and having a discharge outlet, means for delivering paper making stock into said dewatering chamber to flow longitudinally through the tank, a dewatering cylinder in said dewatering chamber, means including a drain pipe for removing water from the dewatering cylinder, a dewatering valve controlling the iicw of removed water out of said dr in pipe, means for delivering dilution water into the stock after it has left the dewatering chamber and before it has passed through the regulating chamber, a valve for controlling the flow of dilution water, and consistency responsive means for controlling said valves located in a portion of said tank where the stock is substantially at final discharge consistency to maintain the consistency of said stock substantially constant.

6. A paper machine stock controller comprising a tank having a dewatering chamber, means for delivering papermaking stock into said dewatering chamber, means including a drain pipe for removing water from stock in said dewatering chamber, a dewatering valve controlling the flow of removed water out of said drain pipe, means for delivering dilution water into the stock in said tank, a valve for controlling the flow of dilution water, a movably supported res ulator arm, yielding means normally urging said arm in one direction, means responsive to an increase in the consistency of the stock in a portion of said. tank for moving said arm in the opposite direction against the tension of said yielding means, a valve operatin pilot on one side of said arm having a part moved by the arm when the latter is moved in one direction, a valve operating pilot on the other side of said arm having a part moved by the arm when the latter is moved in the opposite direction, and con nections between said valve operating pilots and said dewatering valve and dilution valve for 'causing opening of said dewatering valve and simultaneous closing of said dilution valve and vice verse. to maintain the consistency of the stock substantially constant.

7. A paper machine stock controller comprising a tank having a dewatering chamber, means for delivering paper making stock into said dewatering chamber, means including a drain pipe for removing water from stock in said dew-etering chamber, a dewatering valve controlling the flow of removed water out of said drain pipe, means for delivering dilution water into the stock in said tank, a valve for controlling the flow of dilution water, a movably supported regulator arm, yielding means normally urging said arm in one direction, means including a motor driven feeler blade supported for rotation in the tank and responsive to an increase in the consistency of the stock in a portion of said tank for moving said arm in the opposite direction against the tension of said yielding means, a valve operating pilot on one side of said arm having a part moved by the arm when the latter is moved in one direction, a valve operating pilot on the other side of said arm having a part moved by the arm when the latter is moved in the opposite direction, and connections between said valve operating pilots and said dewatering valve and dilution valve for causing opening of said dewatering valve and simultaneous closing of said dilution valve and vice versa to maintain the consistency of the stock substantially constant.

8. A paper machine stock controller comprising a tank having a dewatering chamber and having a discharge outlet, means including an inlet pipe for delivering paper making stock into said dewatering chamber, a valve in said inlet pipe, means including a drain pipe for removing water from stock in said dewatering chamber, a dewatering valve controlling the flow of removed water out of said drain pipe, means for delivering dilution water into the stock, a valve for controlling the flow of dilution water, consistency responsive means for controlling said dilut'on valve and said dewa-tering valve located in a por tion of said tank Where the stock is substantially at final discharge consistency to maintain the consistency of said stock substantially constant, and means located in a portion of said tank where the stock is at substantially final discharge consistency and responsive to the level of stock in said portion of the tank for controlling said inlet pipe valve.

9. A paper machine stock controller comprising a tank having a deWatering chamber and having a discharge outlet, means for delivering paper making stock into said dewatering chamber, means including a drain pipe for removing water from stock in said dewatering chamber, a dewatering valve controlling the flow of removed water out of said drain pipe, means for delivering dilution water into the stock in said tank, a valve for controlling the flow of dilution water, .consistency responsive means for controlling said valveslocated in advance of said discharge outlet and in a portion of said tank where the stock is substantially at final discharge consistency to maintain the consistency of said stock substantially constant, and a rotatable volume measuring discharge valve at said discharge .outlet for discharging stock at a predetermined rate.

10. A paper machine stock controller comprising an elongated tank having a dewatering chamber and having a discharge outlet, means including an inlet pipe for delivering paper making stock into said dewatering chamber to how longitudinally through said tank, a valve in said inlet pipe, means including a drain pipe for removing water from stock in said dewatering chamber, a dewatering valve controlling the flow of removed water out of said drain pipe, means for delivering dilution water into the stock, a valve for controlling the flow of dilution water, consistency responsive means for controlling said dewatering valve and said dilution valve located in advance of said discharge outlet and in a portion of said tank where the stock is substantially at final discharge consistency to maintain the consistency of said stock substantially constant, means located in a portion of said tank where the stock is at substantially final discharge consistency and responsive to the level of stock in said portion of said tank for controlling said inlet pipe valve, and a rotatable volume measuring discharge valve at said discharge outlet for discharging stock at a predetermined rate.

11. A paper machine stock controller comprising an elongated tank having a dewatering chamber at one end and having a regulating chamber beyond said dewatering chamber and having a discharge outlet, means including an inlet pipe for delivering paper making stock into said dewatering chamber to flow longitudinally through said tank, a valve for controlling the flow into the tank from said inlet pipe, a dewatering cylinder in said dewatering chamber, a drain pipe for removing water from said dewatering cylinder, a dewatering valve controlling the flow of removed water out of said drain pipe, means for delivering dilution water into the stock after it has left the dewatering cylinder and before it has passed through the regulating chamber, a valve for controlling the fiow of dilution water, consistency responsive means for controlling said dewatering valve and said dilution valve located in a portion of said tank Where the stock is substantially at final discharge consistency to maintain the consistency of said stock substantially constant, and means including a float located forwardly of said last mentioned means in a portion of said tank where the stock is at substantially final discharge consistency and responsive to the level of stock in said portion of the tank for controlling said inlet pipe valve.

12. A paper machine stock controller comprising an elongated tank having a dewatering chamber at one end and having a regulating chamber beyond said dewatering chamber and having a discharge outlet, means including an inlet pipe for delivering paper making stock into 10 said dewatering chamber to flow longitudinally through said tank, a valve for controlling the flow into the tank from said inlet pipe, a dewatering cylinder in said dewatering chamber,

V a drain pipe for removing Water from said dewatering cylinder, a dewatering valve controlling the flow of removed water out of said drain pipe, means for delivering dilution water into the stock after it has left the dewatering cylinder and before it has passed through the regulating chamber, a valve for controlling the flow of dilution water, consistency responsive means for controlling said dewatering valve and said dilution valve located in advance of said discharge outlet and in a portion of said tank Where the stock is substantially at final discharge consistency to maintain the consistency of said stock substantially constant, means including a float located forwardly of said last mentioned means in a portion of said tank where the stock is at substantially final discharge consistency and responsive to the level of stock in said portion of the tank for controlling said inlet pipe valve, and a rotatable volume measuring discharge valve at said discharge outlet and at the opposite end of the tank from the dewatering chamber.

ROBERT E. BOvEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 863,299 Manning Aug. 13, 1907 971,934 Seigrist Oct. i, 1910 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 458,978 Great Britain Dec. 30, 1936 

